3 Best Portable Solar Chargers in 2024 Reviewed

Solar chargers are the next generation of solar-powered devices that put renewable energy in your hands. Unlike massive solar generators or rooftop solar panels, solar chargers are compact and easy to transport.

When shopping for one, you need specific information to make an informed purchase. Specs like capacity, outlets, and recharge rates impact any solar charger’s usefulness.

This guide takes you through our recommendations for solar chargers, how they work, and what to look for to find the best one for your energy needs. 

If you’re looking for the best portable solar charger, here’s what you need to find it.

 EcoFlow’s Best Solar Chargers in 2024

1. Best for Extended Camping Trips: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro + 220W Solar Panel
2. Best for Weekend Off-Grid Adventures: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max + 160W Solar Panel
3. Best for Hiking and Backpacking: EcoFlow RIVER 2 + 110W Solar Panel

Best for Extended Camping Trips: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro + 220W Solar Panel

For its size, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro + 220W Portable Solar Panel delivers the most energy capacity in a compact build. It gives you access to a personal supply of abundant, renewable power. 

With four 200W AC outlets and a total storage capacity of 768Wh, the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro can simultaneously charge numerous devices or appliances. It’s more than enough to power laptops and smartphones. In fact, it can run up to 80% of high-wattage home appliances with 1600W of AC output using X-Boost mode.  It gives you all the power you need for extended off-grid adventures.

The foldable design of the monocrystalline panels makes them easy to take with you wherever you go while providing sufficient energy to generate electricity quickly. With the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro power station weighing only 17.2 lbs (7.8kg) and the solar panel weighing 15.4 lbs (6.98kg), it’s a powerful but compact solar charging setup.

The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro also benefits from the patented EcoFlow X-Stream technology, reaching 100% charge in just 70 minutes when plugged into an AC wall outlet. The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro is best for extended camping and RV trips. Thanks to the 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel,  you can keep your solar charger fully topped up without needing to rely on an electrical hookup.

Specifications

• Capacity: 768Wh
• AC Output: 800W total (surge 1600W)
• Weight: 17.2 lbs (7.8 kg)
• Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.2 x 8.9 in (27.0 x 26.0 x 22.6 cm)
• Battery Type: Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4/LFP)
• Battery Life Cycle: 80%+ capacity after 3000 cycles
• Solar Panel Charging Time: 4.5 hours (in peak sunlight)

Pros

• Enough AC output to run 80% of high-wattage home appliances
• Generates up to 1.8kWh of off-grid electricity daily  
• Industry-leading 23% efficiency (solar panel conversion rate)
• Charge from 0-100% before you hit the road in 70 minutes using AC input
• Fast solar charging speed of 0-100% in 4.5 hours (direct sunlight)  

Cons

• If you only need to charge your smartphones and other consumer electronic devices, there are less expensive options (see below)
• A combined weight (portable power station + solar panel) of 38lbs (17 kg) makes it the heaviest solar charger option on this list.

Best for Weekend Off-Grid Adventures: EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max + 160W Solar Panel

The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max with a 160W solar panel is the best choice if you value portability as much as charging capacity. With 512Wh storage capacity, it takes high-powered off-grid portability to a new level.

The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max features patented X-Boost technology. It lets you power devices with as much as 1000W of AC output so that you can run camping appliances, power tools, and higher-wattage consumer electronics (like a digital projector for movie night). 

At only 13.4 lbs (6.1 kg), it’s also incredibly lightweight. Throw it in your trunk and take it on off-grid adventures to keep your phone, GPS, Bluetooth, and other devices charged. It also offers sufficient power for most camping appliances — such as a portable refrigerator. 

The 160W monocrystalline panel provides a 21-22% conversion efficiency, making it a reliable way to recharge even on overcast, cloudy days. Your solar panel will pick up enough energy to keep your EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max up and running and generate up to 1.2kWh of electricity daily.

Specifications

• Capacity: 512Wh
• AC Power Output: 500W (Surge 1000W)
• Weight: 13.4lbs (6.08 kg)
• Dimensions: 10.6 x 10.2 x 7.7 in (26.9 x 25.9 x 19.6 cm)
• Battery Type: Lithium iron phosphate
• Battery Life Cycle: 80%+ capacity after 3000 cycles
• Solar Panel Charging Time: +/- 4 hours (in peak sunlight)

Pros

• Generates up to 1.2kWh of off-grid electricity daily
• Charge from 0-100% in just 4 hours using solar (Direct sunlight)
• LiFePO4 battery provides up to 10 years of daily use
• EcoFlow app compatibility provides remote control and monitoring
• 5-year warranty

Cons

• Insufficient AC output for high-wattage home appliances
• 512Wh storage capacity makes it best suited to 2-3 day trips

Best for Hiking and Backpacking: EcoFlow RIVER 2 + 110W Solar Panel

If you’re heading off-grid on foot, there’s no better solar charger than the EcoFlow RIVER 2 + 110W solar panel. 

With a combined weight of under 18 lbs (8kg), it’s an easy load for any experienced hiker to add to their backpack. If you’re trekking with a friend, even better! At under 9 lbs (4kg), the 110W Portable Solar Panel weighs less than three 1.5L bottles of water.

With a maximum AC output of 600W (with X-Boost), you won’t be able to charge higher-wattage appliances — but you’re hardly going to take a fridge backpacking! 

What it CAN do is power your smartphones, laptops, digital cameras, etc., off-grid indefinitely. 

One of the best things about hiking and backpacking is disconnecting from modern life. But few people can afford to disconnect completely anymore. And even fewer people likely want to. 

Snapping and sharing photos with your on-grid friends and family is part of the fun of a scenic hike or backpacking trek. Now, as long as you’ve got cell data, you never have to worry about being unable to capture and share those perfect backpacking moments because of a dead smartphone.

The EcoFlow RIVER 2 stands out compared to similar portable chargers on the market, reaching 0-100% charge in just one hour using AC power, sometimes even less. Even if you forget to charge your EcoFlow RIVER 2 at home, it won’t take long to get it back up and running using solar. 

Monocrystalline silicon PV panels use the most efficient photovoltaic cells on the market. A protective case that doubles as a kickstand comes included, and an IP68 rating means you can position your solar panel anywhere and have it withstand the elements. You can even submerge it in water!

This compact solar charger has everything you need to access renewable energy — wherever you need it.

Specifications

• Capacity: 256Wh 
• AC Output: 300W (Surge 600W)
• Weight: 7.8 lbs (3.5kg)
• Dimensions: 9.6 x 8.5 x 5.7 in (24.4 x 21.6 x 14.48 cm)
• Battery Type: Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4)
• Battery Life Cycle: 80%+ capacity after 3000 cycles
• Solar Panel Charging Time: +/- 3 hours (in peak sunlight)

Pros

• Most affordable EcoFlow solar charger
• Extremely light and compact
• Runs up to 99% of consumer electronics
• Generates up to 784Wh of off-grid electricity daily
• Top up before you hit the road in less than an hour — 0-100% recharge in under 60 minutes
• Fully recharge with solar in 3 hours (direct sunlight)
• LiFePO4 battery provides up to 10 years of daily use

Cons

• Insufficient AC output to power large appliances

Understanding Solar Chargers

Solar chargers use sunlight to generate electricity. Solar panels absorb light (specifically called photons) through photovoltaic cells, and then the charger converts sunlight into electricity that you can use to power devices and appliances. 

Solar panels do not work independently but require a portable power station that users plug into to get electricity — the power station converts and stores the energy. When it runs low, you can recharge it using photovoltaic panels or other means like AC outlets or car adaptors. 

The best thing about solar chargers is that they supply clean energy from a renewable source. Also, thanks to advancements in photovoltaic technology, they don’t even need exposure to direct sunlight. Even on an overcast day, your PV panels can still generate power using ambient light.

How Do I Choose a Portable Solar Charger?

So, now that you know our recommendations and all about how solar chargers work, it’s time to talk about what you should be looking for to find the best one. Solar chargers all achieve the same fundamental goal, but they may go about it in very different ways. Below is our best advice for what to look out for before committing to a purchase. 

1. Choose a Reputable Brand

First, you need to look at the name behind the solar charger. With the growing popularity of renewable, clean energy, numerous manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon. But that doesn’t mean they have the necessary expertise to produce a high-quality solar charger. Solar technology is constantly evolving. It requires a substantial R&D budget and manufacturing capacity to stay ahead of the curve. 

Check out online customer reviews and independent review sites like Wirecutter when assessing whether a solar charger manufacturer is legitimate.

2. Know What You Want To Do With Your Solar Charger

Whether you’re buying a solar charger for camping or a residential whole home generator, it’s essential to know exactly what you want power — and for how long. 

• AC Output: Start by totaling up the running and starting wattage of all the devices you want to power simultaneously. Then, ensure the solar charger you purchase supplies enough AC output. One significant advantage of the EcoFlow RIVER 2 series solar chargers featured here is that they offer up to double their rated AC output thanks to proprietary X-Boost technology. Quite simply, that means the variety of devices and appliances you can run with off-grid electricity is substantially broader than with most other solar chargers.
• Storage Capacity: Now that you know what you want to run with your portable solar charger, consider how long you want to operate your devices between charges. The beauty of a solar charger is that you can stay off-grid indefinitely by harnessing the sun’s energy… Still, it’s wise to consider your solar charger’s electricity storage capacity. You never know when you might get hit with a few days of extremely overcast weather. Cloudy days negatively impact solar electricity production. Keep in mind, EcoFlow RIVER 2 series solar chargers offer four different charging options (including solar) and the fastest recharge times in the industry. If the sun lets you down, you can fully recharge with AC electricity in 70 minutes or less.   

3. Know the Difference Between Amperage, Voltage, Wattage, and Watt-Hours

Amps, voltage, wattage, and watt hours are four terms you’ll see a lot of when shopping around for a portable solar charger. It can get confusing. Let us break it down for you in the following bullet points.

• Amperage: a unit of measurement for the amount of electricity running through a circuit. The larger the amperage, the stronger the rate of electricity flow through the circuit. Amps and milliamps (A/mA) are commonly used to measure the electricity consumption of consumer electronic devices like smartphones and laptops.  
• Voltage: a unit of measurement for the speed of electricity through a circuit. A power station with a higher voltage can power larger devices such as air-conditioning units. For most purposes, you only need to ensure the voltage is compatible with your systems. Most voltages will be either 12V for DC (for RVS and motorhomes) or 120V (for AC/household electricity).
• Wattage: a unit of measurement for the amount of power an electrical device will consume. It varies enormously — illuminating a lightbulb generally requires 40-75 watts, whereas running a vacuum could require up to 900 watts. Wattage is by far the most common metric for electricity consumption. Not only does a device’s wattage tell you how much power it needs to start and run, but you can also use it to calculate how much electricity an appliance will consume over time.
• Watt-hours (Wh) and kilowatt-hours (kWh) are probably familiar to you from your electricity bill. The formula for calculating an appliance’s electricity over time is simple:
  
  Device Wattage x Time (Hours) = Watt-hours/Kilowatt-hours (Wh/kWh)
  
  As you’ve probably noticed, solar chargers typically measure their storage capacity in Wh or kWh. Now that you understand what they mean, it should be easy to calculate how much electricity each device will consume over time.    

4. Consider Portability 

If you plan to take your solar charger camping or backpacking often, make sure it’s lightweight and compact enough to carry. It’s not just the portable power station but also the solar panels that impact portability. Foldable portable solar panels are perfect for off-grid adventures.

5. Ports 

Finally, read the specifications to identify how many ports the solar charger provides. The number and type of ports directly translate to what kind of devices you can charge and how many you can power simultaneously. If you need to charge multiple devices or appliances, ensure your solar charger has sufficient ports.

What Makes a Good Solar Charger?

The short answer to this question is a good solar charger is the one that meets your particular needs. The EcoFlow RIVER 2 would be perfect for a solo explorer, but a larger group would benefit more from the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro with the 220W solar panel.

A good solar charger should meet the following criteria:

• Durable design
• Foldable PV panels for portability
• Sufficient wattage and power capacity
• Highly efficient photovoltaic cells

These benchmarks are the critical ones to hit. Once they are out of the way, it’s pretty much down to you and your individual needs—just do your research before finalizing a purchase!

Why Choose a Solar Generator Over Other Options?

There are numerous advantages to solar generators that other options don’t possess. First, solar power is a clean, renewable energy source. It produces no harmful fumes or pollutants and is in endless supply. 

Solar generators are also more reliable than other solar chargers, such as small battery banks. While a battery bank could charge a smartphone maybe once or twice at most, solar generators give you higher capacity and charge more than just a phone. They can charge your smartphone ten or twenty times over!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Portable Solar Charger Right for You?

Portable solar chargers give you energy independence when you’re traveling off-grid. 

Solar technology has improved so rapidly in recent years that you can now buy a portable power station and solar panel that fits in your backpack without breaking the bank.

We’ve focused primarily on recreational activities, but EcoFlow’s EcoFlow RIVER 2 series portable solar chargers are also robust enough to provide home backup for essential devices in case of a blackout. Your investment in renewable off-grid electricity doesn’t need to stop paying off when you get home.

For a full range of off-grid electricity solutions for off-grid adventures — and powering your home — check out EcoFlow today.